Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble
Pedal down
- Looks like
- Ped. or a bracket line under the staff
- Asks for
- Directs a pianist to depress the sustain pedal.
Pedal release
- Looks like
- An asterisk, or the end of the pedal line
- Asks for
- Directs a pianist to release the sustain pedal.
Pedal change
- Looks like
- Notch in pedal line
- Asks for
- Directs a pianist to release and reapply the pedal.
Una corda
- Looks like
- Written una corda
- Asks for
- Directs use of the soft pedal on an appropriate piano.
Tre corde
- Looks like
- Written tre corde
- Asks for
- Release the soft pedal.
Sostenuto pedal
- Looks like
- Written Sost. Ped.
- Asks for
- Directs use of the middle sostenuto pedal on instruments equipped with it.
Right-hand fingering
- Looks like
- Numbers 1 to 5 by the notes
- Asks for
- Uses digits to indicate thumb through little finger in keyboard music.
Left-hand fingering
- Looks like
- Numbers 1 to 5 by the notes, usually below the staff
- Asks for
- Uses digits to indicate thumb through little finger in keyboard music.
Guitar left-hand fingering
- Looks like
- Numbers 1 to 4 by the notes
- Asks for
- Uses digits for fretting-hand index through little finger.
Guitar right-hand fingering
- Looks like
- The letters p, i, m, a by the notes
- Asks for
- Uses letters for thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.
Guitar string number
- Looks like
- A number in a circle
- Asks for
- Identifies the intended string on a guitar.
Guitar position
- Looks like
- A Roman numeral above the staff
- Asks for
- Identifies a fretboard position or barre location in guitar notation.
Barre
- Looks like
- C or B followed by a Roman numeral
- Asks for
- Indicates stopping several guitar strings with one finger.
Open string
- Looks like
- Written 0
- Asks for
- Directs performance on an unstopped string where applicable.
Let ring
- Looks like
- Written l.v.
- Asks for
- Directs a note to continue resonating after the attack.
Stop sound
- Looks like
- Damp / mute
- Asks for
- Directs the performer to silence a ringing note or instrument.
Solo
- Looks like
- Written solo
- Asks for
- Indicates a passage assigned to one player or featured performer.
Tutti
- Looks like
- Written tutti
- Asks for
- Indicates the full ensemble or section should enter.
Cue
- Looks like
- Cue notes
- Asks for
- Shows another part's material to help a performer count or enter.
Rehearsal letter
- Looks like
- Boxed A, B, C
- Asks for
- Provides reference points for ensemble rehearsal.
Rehearsal number
- Looks like
- Boxed numeral
- Asks for
- Provides numbered reference points for ensemble rehearsal.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Pitch and Accidentals · Note Values and Rests · Meter and Grouping · Articulation · Dynamics and Expression · Tempo and Navigation · Ornaments · Jazz and Contemporary
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →